about the project

Short overview of the EGT-TWINN project

The EGT-TWINN project aims to enhance research and technical capacity at the Geological Survey of Estonia (EGT) to accelerate Estonia's transition from fossil fuel energy to green energy. 

The capacity building will be mainly focused on developing state-of-the-art geological, geochemical and geophysical survey skills, data management workflows, and subsurface modelling capability for exploration and geological resource assessment of European critical raw materials and geothermal energy as a future potential green energy source for Estonia. 

The EGT geological capacity enhancement will be implemented via range of joint activities such as scientific conferences and exchanges as well as through delivery of specialized training programmes provided by three leading geological surveys in Europe – the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), the British Geological Survey (UKRI/BGS) and the Geological Survey of Denmark (GEUS). A further partner is the University of Oulu (UOULU), more specifically the Oulu Mining School (OMS), which provides a unique state-of-the-art platform for mining-related research and education.

Specific objectives of EGT-TWINN are to:

  1. facilitate and improve cooperation, networking and joint high-quality research between EGT scientists and established researchers from GTK, UKRI, GEUS and UOULU;
  2. develop research capability in modern geological surveying techniques and field work skills;
  3. enhance research capacity and achieve long-term institutional strengthening of EGT scientists by embedding state-of-the-art techniques for geological data collection, digital workflows, 3D visualization and geological modelling, and geophysical research;
  4. strengthen knowledge base in geothermal energy studies;
  5. improve the management and accessibility of geoscientific data through integrated methodologies for data capture, management and long-term storage;
  6. develop environmental geology research capacity at EGT and initiate an urban geochemical baseline survey programme;
  7. improve the dissemination and utilisation of geoscience information by Estonian scientists, government, authorities, infrastructure professionals and the wide public;
  8. leverage EGT’s competence in research administration, including project management, financial analysis and legal matters;
  9. improve the capability of EGT to succeed in national, EU, and international research funding acquisition.

In order to address the capability gaps identified at EGT, the project is structured into five work packages (WP):